Well, I watched Star Trek with my dad. My son and husband prefer Star Wars, however. I don't know if either one is "culturally significant," other than the fact that Star Trek seemed to emphasize cultural diversity.

I will say that Star Wars has had far more reaching cultural significances... You can not go with out watching just about any TV series and not getting some SW reference, or some comment about people going to the dark side or many other things.

But if you also look at how much the movie industry was revolutionized by SW and George Lucas there really is no comparisons,Out of Star Wars came Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), his computerized effects company, and THX, the advanced sound system for theaters, and a little studio, specializing in digital animation, that became Pixar. (Not before doing special effects with ILM for the Wrath of Kahn, developed the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS) for Disney) (Lucas sold that one to fellow visionary capitalist Steve Jobs.) Not to leave out Skywalker sound who produces a very large percentage of movies sound effects.

I say that while Star Trek has certainly be influential in the modern world, just not nearly as much as Star Wars has.

First of all, Star Trek and Star Wars begin in different media. Star Trek is a television series (initially) and Star Wars is a film (initially). As a series, Star Trek emphasized exploration, sci-fi speculation, and mediations on humanity's place in an expanding world. Star Wars was an entertaining, action blockbuster.

So they are not even attempting to do the same work. For what it is, Star Wars is efficient, however I simply don't enjoy action blockbusters. Star Trek succeeds very well at what it does, being one of the first classics of television. As a more ponderous person, I loved it.

As to cultural significance, Star Wars primarily influenced the way Hollywood produces major action films; but this seems to me external to what one would normally call culture. On a pop-cultural level, perhaps it has been less of a niche-interest than Star Trek.

Star Trek, on the other hand, makes a positive contribution to culture and developed the television medium. Again, on a pop-cultural level, Star Trek appeals to a niche, whereas Star Wars tends to appeal more broadly.

for action buff Star Wars is cool if you go out and enjoy, and if you want to know how would different species of different planet interact and how would be there governing bodies etc. you can go for Star Trek (but it needs a lot of passion). See the movie 2012 http://hubpages.com/hub/2012-The-Sony-P … -Many-Life

I am a dire hard Star Trek Fan of the original series but I liked The Star Trek Series Deep Space Nine. I was not to keen on Star Trek The New Generation though.My favorite character was McCoy and I use to write Star Trek Romance Stories for everyone through ninth grade. I still write some Star Trek Romance Stories, but right now I am working on a manuscript that is a sequel to the Secret Garden and after that a Prequel to it.I got to see Star Wars, The first three Star War movies. I liked the third one the best.

I'd have to go with "Star Trek". It's a little difficult to love anything "Star Wars" after the first three movies (that is to say, parts 4, 5 and 6)... I can barely even stand the prequels. "Star Trek" I loved right from the first episode back in September of 1966 through the Next Generation and (most of) the movies. I think "Star Wars" might be more culturally significant to a particular age group (those who came of age when the middle trilogy was coming out) but for everyone else it's likely "Trek".

Star Trek, From the Pilot episodes "The Cage" and ""The Menagerie" which were unaired but sold later on video through the 79th Episode it had me hooked! I found it very culturally significant. It dealt with culture war to racism. It addressed addiction, sexuality, friendship, death, birth, religious belief, famine--most of things we deal with every day! I still watch the reruns, and the movies over and over again!The original Star Trek series-"The trouble with Tribbles" being a favorite episode! Next I also watch Star Trek:The Next Generation, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek Voyager, Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: New Voyages, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek: Enterprise. I hope I didn't miss any! I got bored with Stars Wars. Sorry SW fans!

its hard to say since both have become so much a part of america's traditional pop culture. however, if i had to pick, i would say star wars. simply because the star wars franchise has not only changed the standard for sci fi and action films, it also revolutionized the way hollywood handles summer films.

before star wars, hollywood rarely released summer movies. however, when star wars came out, it not only broke that rule, it defined it. therefore, allowing hollywood to release most blockbuster films during the summer like today. thus, revolutionizing how hollywood does movies.

where as star trek, it was a cult classic that started off a with a reasonably small fan base. then later on in years grew to become a popular cult sensation it is today.

I love both, but always preferred Star Trek to Star Wars. It is interesting to note that Star Trek's popularity wanes when George Lucas puts out Star Wars movies. Cultural significance? Well, everyone has heard of Mr. Spock, Tribbles and Klingons--even if they never watched the show and aren't sure what they are. Everyone has heard the catch phrase, "May the Force be with you" and has heard of Darth Vader, R2D2, etc. Weird Al made a parody song about Star Wars, but to my knowledge never saluted Star Trek in the same way.

As far as a deeper cultural significance, I will add my voice to the comments already made--Star Trek tried to make a statement about humanity and Star Wars wanted to make an action flick. In their own way, they both succeeded.

In my opinion Star Trek stayed more to exploration, science, and intelect. It was (or will be) about exciting times, meeting new entities, learning new technoligies, creating new allies and enemies. It was about the new kids on the block learning the ropes and trying to fit in in an old universe.Star Wars is about two warring factions trying to eliminate each other. Most of the technology was old and established. The politics are old and established. The only new tech is the Death Star.Star Trek invented the universal translater. So everyone appeared to speak the same language.Star Wars? Everyone speaks their own language and appear to understand each other.Star Trek has The Transporter & Photon (light) Torpedos.Star Wars has The Force & Light Sabors.Star Trek & Star Wars have both inspired new technologies in the real world.Which is better? Doesn't matter to me. I go Star Blind when either is on my TV.

This really is an unfair comparison. Star Trek is Science Fiction of the highest order while Star Wars is more science fantasy. Trek takes place in a world that evolves from the one in which we live today offering hope for the future of humanity, while Star Wars is a rollicking adventure that takes place "in a galaxy far, far away". How can you even lend credence to a fair comparison here?

It's intriguing that both universes, though, have the same character stereotypes. They each have young people trying to find themselves, brash heroes who would rather fight than negotiate, venerable leaders who train the next generation of warriors and beautiful yet strong damsels who are able to rescue themselves from their own bad situations. And both universes have their irredeemable villains and their antiheroes just waiting to be rehabilitated.

As someone already pointed out here, if you're looking for just plain fun, then Star Wars (the first three moreso than the prequels) rules. But for true nuanced storytelling, nothing can beat Trek since it truly works on all sorts of levels.

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